THE CRAFT OF THE HEART

The Craft of the Heart by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo (Phra Suddhidhammaraṅsī Gambhīramedhācariya) translated from the Thai by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey

Part I Training in Virtue Precepts for Lay People There are three sets of precepts for laypeople: the five precepts,

The Service for the Lunar Sabbath Before taking the precepts, first pay respect to the Triple Gem—the Buddha, the Dhamma

Virtue: Questions & Answers 1. What are the benefits of observing the precepts? What are the drawbacks of not observing

Concentration: Questions & Answers 1. How does one go about practicing concentration? 2. What benefits come from practicing it? 3.

Part II The Craft of the Heart When I first became aware of the conflicting views held by people who

How to Practice Concentration The first step is to kneel down with your hands palm-to-palm in front of your heart

On Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem The Triple Gem is a potent refuge for those who have firm faith

On the Four Immeasurable Sublime Attitudes Mettā: Develop thoughts of love and good will, hoping for your own happiness and that

On Radiating the Sublime Attitudes If you want to, you can radiate thoughts of good will, etc., in extended form,

On the Rewards of the Four Immeasurables The four immeasurable sublime attitudes are genuinely worth developing because they are qualities

On Practicing Concentration Concentration should be practiced in a systematic and orderly way. The Buddha thus set down a civilized

On the Four Postures The purpose of meditating in four postures is simply to provide rest and relief for the

The Five Hindrances 1. Kāma-chanda: sensual desires; an attraction to sensual objects. For the mind to be attracted to sensual objects, a

The Six Propensities 1. Rāga-carita: a propensity to passion and longing. 2. Dosa-carita: a propensity to irritation and aversion. 3. Moha-carita: a propensity to delusion and

The Two Themes of Meditation 1. Samatha-kammaṭṭhāna : tranquility meditation—techniques for stilling the mind; 2. Vipassanā-kammaṭṭhāna : insight meditation—techniques for developing discernment. The objects

Methods for Attaining Tranquility Use the body as a theme for attaining tranquility as follows: Focus on the properties of